Hornqvist concussed, Letang issue hockey-related

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Patric Hornqvist was diagnosed with a concussion Wednesday morning and sent back to Pittsburgh "for further evaluation," Mike Sullivan confirmed after the Penguins' 7-4 victory over the Jets at MTS Centre.

The coach also clarified that Kris Letang, about whom speculation has swirled regarding his continued absence, has a hockey-related upper-body injury that is not a concussion and not related to his heart or stroke issues from the past.

"There's just so much speculation around this, about Kris' injury," Sullivan said. "What I will confirm is that it's not a concussion, it's not related to a stroke or anything of that nature. Kris has an upper-body injury. He's rehabbing that injury at home as we speak. We're hopeful here that he'll have a quick turnaround and we'll get him back in the lineup."



When asked for further clarification by DKPittsburghSports.com if Letang had sustained a standard hockey-type injury, Sullivan replied emphatically, "Yes, that's it. Exactly. We know there's been a lot of speculation. But let this confirm that it's not that stuff."

The team had announced shortly before faceoff Wednesday night that Hornqvist wouldn't play because of an injury but waited until afterward to have Sullivan describe it. There had previously been no cause to believe anything was amiss, as he practiced Tuesday in Cranberry Township and was one of several players who didn't participate in the optional skate here Wednesday morning.

Sullivan would not rule out that Hornqvist could join the Penguins at some point on the rest of this five-game road trip that opens tonight. There are three more games in Western Canada -- Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary -- followed by Philadelphia next week.